Book Signing & Cooking Demo: Barnes & Noble, Harvey, LA-Saturday, December 18, 2010
12-18-10 Kid Chef Eliana gets ready to demonstrate 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup
Hey Young Chefs:
It’s been a very busy holiday season and I haven’t had the chance to blog! I’ve had lots of events, family functions, and parties! On Saturday, December 18, I did a holiday cooking demonstration and book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Harvey, Louisiana. I demonstrated my 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup. It’s called 2X2 because it has two helpings of each ingredient.
12-18-10 Kid Chef Eliana serves her 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup
The soup was delicioso and everyone loved it! I served it with flour tortillas. The recipe for 2X2 Chicken Fajita soup can be found in my cookbook, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids. After my cooking demonstration, I signed books. It was a ton of fun. Thank you Ms. Jane French and Ms. Stacey Hensley of Barnes & Noble. Thank you also to my family, friends, and fans who came and supported me!
12-18-10 Kid Chef Eliana signs books for fans at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, LA
I am ending the year with a New Year’s Eve Book Signing at A Tisket A Tasket on Decatur Street in New Orleans on Friday, December 31, 2010 from 12pm-2pm. I hope to see you there!
12-18-10 Kid Chef Eliana with Mom and Dad
Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Kid Chef Eliana Cooks Belizean Chicken Recado Stew-Monday, December 6, 2010
12-6-10 Kid Chef Eliana cuts chicken for the Belizean chicken recado stew
Hey Young Chefs!
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I took a Carnival cruise in the Western Caribbean. Our cruise took us to to the countries of Belize, Honduras, and Mexico. While I was in Belize, I picked up a bunch of spices!
11-23-10 Kid Chef Eliana heads straight for the Belizean spices!
My family wanted to taste Belize again so we cooked a Central American meal of Belizean chicken recado stew. Recado is a ball of paste made of achiote seeds, which are red. You can see the little ball of recado in the top picture. If you are not careful, the recado can stain your hands so we wore food prep gloves.
12-6-10 Kid Chef Eliana mixes Belizean spices and Belizean jerk into the chicken
This is what achiote seeds look like.
12-6-10 Achiote seeds picture
My mom mixed the recado into chicken broth while I seasoned the chicken with Belizean jerk seasoning and Belizean all-purpose spice. We sauteed the chicken with onions, garlic, bell peppers, and celery then added the broth.
12-4-10 Kid Chef Eliana pours the recado broth over the sauteed chicken
The meal turned out soooo good! We ate the chicken recado stew (a taste of Belize) with coconut rice (a taste of Honduras), black beans (a taste of Central and South America), and snow peas with salsa verde (a taste of Mexico).
12-4-10 Belizean chicken recado stew, coconut rice, black beans and snow peas with salsa verde
Yum! Yum! Here is the recipe:
Belizean Chicken Recado Stew
Ingredients
2 lbs. boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size chunks
1 ball of recado
1 c. chicken broth
2 tbsp. Belizean all-purpose spice
1 tsp. Belizean Jerk spice
1/2 c. onions, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. small red potatoes, quartered and par-boiled
olive oil
Directions
Season chicken thoroughly with all-purpose seasoning and jerk spice. Mix recado into chicken broth. Over medium heat, Sautee onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic for 5-7 minutes. Add chicken and sautee’ until brown on both sides. Add recado broth. Add potatoes and cover. Let simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with steamed white rice or coconut rice. Serves 6-8.
I hope you enjoyed this!
Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Book Signing: Kid Chef Eliana signs at Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge-Saturday, December 4, 2010
12-4-10 Kid Chef Eliana signs cookbooks at Barnes & Noble Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge
Hey Young Chefs!
On Saturday, December 4, 2010, I had a book signing at Barnes & Noble on Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge. My mom performed The Gigantic Sweet Potato with Ms. Marita Gentry, her illustrator, and I got to sign my cookbook, Eliana Cooks!, next to my mom. It was fun and we had a nice crowd.
12-4-10 Kid Chef Eliana signs Eliana Cooks at Barnes & Noble
I look forward to more book signings! Join my Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/elianacooksfanpage for updates on upcoming events! You can also catch me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/KidChefEliana
Hope to see you soon!
Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Carnival Cruise Day 6-Cozumel, Mexico and Thanksgiving-November 25, 2010
11-25-10 Eliana and Abuela on a pedicab in Cozumel
Hey Young Chefs!
On our last excursion day, we docked in Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel is an island and the water there is so pretty.
11-25-10 Entering the last port - Cozumel, Mexico!
You would never catch me on a gator like this in Louisiana! LOL
11-25-10 Eliana tames a giant gator in Cozumel, Mexico
We went to San Francisco Beach Resort to have fun sunning and swimming in the clear Caribbean water.
11-25-10 Welcome to San Francisco Beach Resort!
The beach was so pretty – white sands and turquoise water!
11-25-10 Playa bella at the San Francisco Beach Resort in Cozumel, Mexico
On the beach, we saw a man with a squirrel monkey. He told my mom that it was from Panama and it was rescued and rehabilitated. It ate monkey food off the top of my mom’s head! hahaha
11-25-10 A squirrel monkey, rescued and rehabilitated
For lunch, I had tasty chicken quesadillas. Delicioso!
11-25-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats chicken quesadillas. Que delicioso!
After sunning and swimming all day, we went back to the ship. It was Thanksgiving and there was a Saints game on!
11-25-10 Headed back to the ship after a full day of sun, sand, surf and shopping in Cozumel
The Saints won against Dallas…
11-25-10 The Saints won the Saints v. Dallas game on Thanksgiving and Saints fans rocked the boat!
… and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner on the ship!
11-25-10 Elegant Eliana at Thanksgiving dinner
It was sad to leave our last port but I am so inspired by the food, the culture, and the memories!
11-26-10 Smile for the family Christmas picture!
Cool kids cook and cruise!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Carnival Cruise Day 5-Roatan, Honduras-Wednesday, November 24, 2010
11-24-10 Antonio, Dianne, Soleil & Eliana in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras
Hey Young Chefs!
On Day 5 of our Carnival Cruise, we stopped in Roatan, Honduras. I was so excited about this port because I am part Honduran. We decided to take an excursion to Maya Key, a small island off Roatan with a wildlife conservatory and a replica of the Copan Mayan Ruins.
11-24-10 Auntie Erly, Trina, Jasmynn, Josie, Eliana & Camrynn on the boat to Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras
When I got to the pier, I caught this cool picture of a plane soaring overhead.
11-24-10 A sillhouette of an airplane flying over head
Mom, Dad, my cousin, Camrynn, and I visited the the ruins first, before swimming. Along the way, we saw beautiful macaws, colorful like rainbows. Wow!
11-24-10 Two macaw birds fighting
Next, my cousin, Camrynn, and I took a picture by a Mayan statue.
11-24-10 Camrynn and Eliana pose next to a Mayan figure on Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras
It was cool to see the ruins even though they weren’t in ruins. LOL
11-24-10 Soleil, Antonio, Dianne & Eliana in front of the replica of the Copan Ruins, Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras
Here I am in front of another Mayan structure.
11-24-10 Eliana in front of a replica of a Mayan structure
After visiting the museum and the ruins, it was time to go swimming! I snorkeled too, in crystal clear water where I could really see the beautiful coral and colorful fish.
11-24-10 Jasmynn, Soleil, Ashlynn, Camrynn & Eliana swim in the Maya Key waters, Roatan, Honduras
I also had fun collecting sea shells and coral for my mom.
11-24-10 Eliana collects a handful of shells and coral from Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras
For lunch, I ate some delicious island food, just like my Abuela makes!
11-24-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats coconut rice and beans, Honduran barbecue and fried plaintains
After having fun on Maya Key, it was time to go back to Roatan. We hopped on the same boat and zipped back, arriving with enough time for shopping. Abuela is from Honduras so my dad was so excited to find handicrafts to bring home to represent his heritage.
11-24-10 Honduran shopkeepers with carved wooden masks
After a full day in Honduras, it was time to head back to the ship for dinner. Look at this gorgeous island sunset!
11-24-10 The sun sets in pretty Honduras...
I loved dining in the London Dining room for dinner. For dinner, I had a delicious spiced chicken with roasted cauliflower and cheesy peas.
11-24-10 Spiced chicken with roasted cauliflower and fresh peas
And even though I had a very full day, I still danced when the dinner dance number came on! The fun never stops on a cruise ship! 
11-24-10 Even after a full day of sunning, swimming and snorkeling, Eliana joins the dinner dance number!
I loved all that fun in the sun! Cool kids cook and cruise!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Carnival Cruise Day 4-Tuesday 23, 2010
Hey Young Chefs!
Day three was a relaxation day for me, so nothing special happened that day, but day four was an exciting and tiresome day. We went to Belize City, Belize.
11-23-10 - A house in Belize
On that day we stopped at a local market and bought Belizean spices. The spices look so yummy!
11-23-10 Kid Chef Eliana heads straight for the Belizean spices!
First, we went cave tubing. We had to wear head lamps on our foreheads because some parts of the cave were so dark. Here is my cousin Ashlynn with her head lamp on.
11-23-10 My cousin, Ashlynn dons her headlamp for the caves. Look at the size of the inner tubes behind her!
The river water was freezing! The kids went across the river first and held on to a rope. Then, they gave us our inner tubes. We all had to walk on a trail through the rain forest. Look at the beautiful rain forest.
11-23-10 Amazing rock formations in the Belizean rain forest
Here we are cave tubing down the river. The water was cold but we had to get used to it! Brrr.
11-23-10 Dion guides us with ease... backwards!
It was fun cave tubing. After cave tubing, we went ziplining! I had to wear a helmet, belt harness, hooks, and gloves. It was very heavy. We had a little lesson and then off we went, ziplining through the rain forest! Here is me ziplining like a pro. LOL!
11-23-10 Eliana zips across on the practice line
Look at my dad ziplining. On the longest zipline my dad was trying to be like Tarzan. It was funny.
11-23-10 Antonio breezes in on the zipline
When we finished ziplining we had lunch. I ate Belizean barbecue chicken, platanos (sweet fried ripe plaintains), congri (rice and beans), and a tortilla. Delicioso!
11-23-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats rice and beans, Belizean barbecued chicken, and a homemade tortilla
When lunch was over we went back on the ship to our cabins and took a nap. Then, we had to wake up and get ready for dinner. Didn’t get to pictures of dinner, sorry. I forgot my camera in my cabin. I’m so mad at myself! It tasted wonderful.
Cool Kids Cook and Cruise!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Carnival Cruise Day 2-Sunday, November 21, 2010
11-21-10 What a beautiful couple! Mom hand beaded her dress with pearls and rhinestones.
Hey Young Chefs!
On November 21st my Nana and Paw Paw renewed their vows on the Carnival Cruise! It was a gorgeous vow renewal. Here is a picture of all the grandchildren, including me, waiting for our turn to walk down the aisle.
11-21-10 The grandchildren process down the aisle for the vow renewal ceremony
(Left to right) Jasmynn, me, Camrynn, Ashlynn, Jourdan, and finally Soleil. We walked down the aisle for Nana. Here is mommy walking Nana down the aisle. Isn’t that sweet?!
11-21-10 Mom had the privilege of walking my Nana down the aisle
After the vow renewal was over, we had the wedding reception. Nana and Paw Paw cut the cake together. There was a lot of food, but we still hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so we didn’t eat a lot. They had fruit, lamb empanadas, egg rolls, and chicken nuggets with a zesty honey mustard. The food was delicious!
11-21-10 I wish you could see how intricately the fruit was carved. Gorgeous!
After the vow renewal, we went to dinner. For the entree I ate my first lobster! It tasted awesome. It also came with shrimp.
11-21-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats her first lobster!
As for dessert, I had the Warm Melting Chocolate Cake. I’m so mad that I didn’t take a picture because it was the best dessert. After dinner we went to our cabins because we were exhausted. We were knocked out! That was a fun night.
Cool Kids Cook and Cruise!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
Carnival Cruise Day 1 at Sea-Saturday, November 20, 2010
11-20-10 On board the Carnival Triumph with our Sign & Sail Cards
Hey Young Chefs!
During the Thanksgiving holiday week I went on a Carnival Cruise to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico! It was exciting. I ate a lot of tasty food, had some thrilling adventures, and had the time of my life. (Sing Fergie!) LOL
11-20-10 Taking a picture before we set sail, with New Orleans as our backdrop
We were on the Carnival Triumph. It was my first time on a cruise ship. Boy, was it BIG. On the Lido Deck (Floor 9), there was a humongous screen for an outdoor theater; 4 swimming pools and 5 Jacuzzi tubs; a basketball court; and a putt putt golf course.
11-20-10 Paw Paw enjoys putt putt golf with my cousins, Ashlynn & Camrynn on the top deck of the ship
The view from the top deck was amazing. Here is a picture of the city of New Orleans. Pretty!
11-20-10 A picture of the city of New Orleans from the aft of the top deck of the Carnival Triumph
After the ship set sail, we had dinner and then we went to a family dance party at the Hollywood Dance Club. We even learned a new dance called “The Wobble.” It’s so much fun!
11-20-10 My mom, my cousins and I dance at a family dance party in the Hollywood Dance Club. We learned a new dance called the Wobble!
It was a fun ending to a great first day on the Carnival Triumph. More to come!
Cool Kids Cook and Cruise!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
The Po Boy Festival in New Orleans – Sunday, November 14, 2010
11-14-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats a fried boudin poboy at the Oak Street Poboy Festival
Hey Young Chefs!
This past Sunday, I went to the Oak Street Po Boy Festival in uptown New Orleans with my family. We met my mom’s friends and their daughter, Maci, there.
11-14-10 Maci gets her poboy on... her head
A po boy is a submarine sandwich from New Orleans made with french bread. There is usually meat or seafood inside but people put nearly anything between the two pieces of bread. Po boy comes from the term, “Poor Boy.” Po boys are delicious! My mom and I split a fried boudin po boy. Boudin is a Cajun sausage stuffed with rice and meat. Yum! Yum!
There were all different kinds of po boys: shrimp and remoulade, pork belly and pepper jelly, duck confit, hot sausage, roasted pork and gouda, and so much more. The festival was crowded like Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras Day! That’s because everyone loves a good po boy!
11-14-10 Oak Street is as crowded as Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras!
We saw second lining with a jazz band. A woman was dancing, getting down with a second line umbrella.
11-14-10 A second line dancers grooves to the sounds of a jazz band
I even got to take a picture with the “Whistle Man.” He is a famous character at all the Saints football games. His helmet is signed by many Saints players.
11-14-10 Eliana takes a picture with the famous Saints Whistle Man
The Po Boy Festival was a ton of delicious fun. Cool kids cook and go to fun food festivals!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Book Signing at A Tisket A Tasket in New Orleans – Saturday, November 13, 2010
11-13-10 Kid Chef Eliana poses with her sign at A Tisket A Tasket
Hey Young Chefs!
This past weekend, I had a book signing at A Tisket A Tasket gift store in the French Quarter in New Orleans. I signed books with my mom, Children’s Author & Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas.
11-13-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana signing books at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter
The night before, I baked mini Devil’s Food Monster Muffins from my cookbook, which I passed out as samples, with apple cider at my book signing. It was crowded and I sold tons of books. In fact, I sold out!
11-13-10 There is a big crowd for Kid Chef Eliana!
People were buying copies as Christmas presents for the young chefs in their lives. Very cool!
11-13-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana signing books
It was a lot of fun and I loved working with Ms. Lisa Jones and Ms. Judy. They are so sweet. So next time you are in the French Quarter, stop by A Tisket A Tasket!
Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
